Dear Hawaii Five-0,
It seems to me that you and I need to have a talk. Remember last week when I discussed how you are a compulsive people-pleaser who, rather than being happy with what you’re really good at, always seems to want to fix something that ain’t broke, thereby breaking it in the process? And how all I really wanted was everyone being bantering best bros and stuff to be pretty? You seem to need to hear this again, so let me repeat it for you: You were just fine the way you were. And, really, your constant attempts to re-vamp yourself are starting to get annoying.
I think, though, what bothers me about your continued attempts to “improve” yourselves is the very strong sense I get of why you are attempting to improve yourself. Namely, I feel like you’re trying to cater to the lady demographic. As part of that demographic, I beg of you to stop. Please stop. You’re embarrassing yourself; you’re irritating me; and, what’s more, I feel like you really have no idea what women actually want to watch on television. Because you seem to believe that unless there are token girl characters and romantic tension, we women will suddenly become terribly bored with you and go back to knitting or The Bachelor or whatever else it is you think we do. I promise you, that is not true.
Now, you are not the the only offender in the category of “TV shows that transparently and semi-offensively attempt to pander to women,” but you are pretty bad about it, and I’m talking to you now, so listen very, very closely: The best thing you can do to pander to a female audience is by not reducing half of the viewing population to a homogeneous mass of viewers. There are really only two rules about women watching television you need to know — women are exactly as diverse in their television opinions and requirements as men, and the only difference I have ever noticed between the average female viewer and the average male viewer is that the average female strongly dislikes feeling that TV is condescending to her. And right now your revolving door of pretty agent types who clearly only exist to be Steve’s love interest? That is mighty condescending.
This is not to say I don’t like the new girl, Lori Weston (Lauren German). She’s actually pretty awesome. I like that she’s clearly competent and much more emotional and idealistic than any of the team, all of whom seem to be rather jaded when it comes to crime. I like that she doesn’t put up with Steve’s bullshit and is sassy (and I really loved her asking how long Danny and Steve have been married, because, let’s face it, we were all thinking “I have heard my parents have this fight” during that horseback cargument). So far, she’s really working for me. What’s not working for me is the inability of the show to care about more than one woman at a time. I don’t like Jenna’s handwave to the dark side, but what I really don’t like is the abandonment of Kono’s storyline so she becomes the sacrificial lamb for the entire team’s fuckups, and meanwhile the rest of the (male) characters get to go skip around scott-free. And I don’t like that we all know that she’s just there to end up with Steve.
Because here’s the thing about bringing in a woman just to be a love interest — it totally negates any points you may have gotten with the ladies for bringing a woman on board, because you’ve negated the very first rule of television: do not condescend to your audience. Bringing a woman on — no matter how awesome she is — for the sole purpose of creating sexual tension, says to a female audience that all you care about in a female character is her ability to do so. Kono doesn’t generate sexual chemistry with any of the guys? Sideline her! Jenna doesn’t either? Make her evil! Heck, make the governor evil too! If you ever get to that point where that’s all a bunch of show writers can come up with for female characters, I suggest they apply to the old adage of “if you don’t have anything nice to day, don’t say anything at all”. Want your show to be only about bros doing bro things and not chock-full of ladies? Fine. I can deal with that. I watch plenty of shows like that. I would rather no ladies at all to ladies that are there to fill some quota of female representation/romantic subplots because you think that, as a girl, that’s what I need to care about your show.
Here’s an even better idea for appealing to women: choose guest actors better. Don’t choose guys like Tom Sizemore, who has been convicted for beating women. And if you must choose guys like that because, I don’t know, Tom Sizemore’s brother saved your life and you owe him a favor, do not — I repeat, do not — introduce him by having him break into a main female character’s house, threaten her, and stare at old photos of her. That is terrifying. Not in a good, scary movie sort of way either. That is legitimately terrifying in the way that it takes the sexual assault threat-o-meter that every woman develops along with breasts during puberty and cranks it right to rape o’clock.
The fact of the matter is, these ploys are unnecessary. I am a girl, and I watch Hawaii Five-0. Most people I know who watch Hawaii Five-0 are also girls. We have been perfectly pleased with everyone on the team being best bros, Danny and Steve’s odd couple dynamic, lots of pretty and gratuitously shirtless people, and stuff going boom. And that is all we have needed for we, too, are simple creatures.
I realize this all sounds very harsh, Hawaii Five-0, but I am only being harsh because I love you. You’ve been doing reasonably well, and I’d hate to see you not be able to pull yourself out of a death spiral just because you’re trying to appeal to a demographic you’ve already won. Stand down. Take a deep breath. Return to those things going boom and people being shirtless. Return to the core four team actually caring about each other. Heck, bring the new girl, she seems pretty cool. But if you screw this up trying to fix something that never needed fixing in the first place, that would be kind of tragic. And I would have far less to look forward to on Monday nights, which would, perhaps, be the greatest tragedy of all.
Love,
Julia, your fan, who is also a chick
Clacked by Julia Hass 
on Sep 28, 2011 @ 13:14 EST5EDT
I agree and disagree with some of your statements. I adore Hawaii 5-0 and I think Lauren German is going to be a really good fit. It was nice to see Steve check her out. He is human and we are getting to witness that more so every moment that he is out of jail. Besides, what red blooded man wouldn’t look at her? She is absolutely stunning and her character is one tough little broad. She’s no damsel and she’s not afraid to tell Steve what’s on her mind. I love that about her. I think she will fit in very well. A little sexual tension never hurt anyone. Doesn’t mean they are going to ravish each other but it’s nice to know they at least think about those things from time to time. :)I certainly do, but maybe I’m different? Ha!
I like Jenna and I’m hoping that they make her association with WoFat something that we can all accept and understand. I’m pretty impressed with our writers and I know they have a great plan. She never really fit in with the team totally. Not sure why but I don’t wish her ill will and I don’t want her to be evil. Desperate people do desperate things.
As far as Kono goes… hold on there (or as Steve would say while riding that horse *squeee* Whoa!!!) This is just the tip of the Kono story. You are going to see Grace Park/aka Kona really get a chance to shine. A real Kono featured storyline! Don’t put the cart before the horse. (there’s that horse again… OMG I loved it!) Give these writers time to get this arc going. She is going to come out of this with flying colors and we will get our Kono back. Maybe a little wiser and better for having gone through this. Her team (Ohana) is never going to let her go down for this by herself. It’s just not going to happen. There is a plan. Any good writer worth his salt can see the potential for a strong storyline from this situation she has gotten herself into.
As far as Tom Sizemore, well being a victim of domestic violence, I had my issues with him being hired too – but you know what? We live in a country that once you’ve paid your debt to society (and he did, legally and publically), he has the opportunity to get a second chance to prove himself a better human being. I’m sure he regrets what happened every single day of his life. I pray that he holds onto his sobriety and his commitment to live a better life. We should all get that second chance. It will be a battle that he’ll have to continue facing every single day. It doesn’t take away the fact that he is a very talented actor. I think they got the best man for the job.
I do agree that the scene with him breaking into her home and not identifying himself as a police officer was an invitation to be shot regardless of Mr. Sizemore’s criminal history. I wasn’t real keen on that scene and felt it was overkill to portray him as menacing and power hungry. He could have just pounded on her door and showed her his badge. Just knowing he’s an IA agent is intimidating enough.
As far as Hawaii 5-0 goes in the ratings, they are holding their own just fine. They are up against some very tough competition and they manage to hold onto their audience and their demo. The DVR ratings always put them on top so I think they are doing plenty right.
This is only the second episode of the season and the first episode tied up a lot of stories from last season. This was a great way to start introducing us to new story arcs that will carry us through another exciting year. Thank you Peter Lenkov for a bringing us this awesome show.
You’re Peter Lenkov aren’t you?
*applauds* It’s like you read my mind! I couldn’t have said this any better!
Sorry, but this is not a review… it’s verbal diarrhea. You sound hysterical (and I don’t mean funny). Perhaps you should watch a different show and find yourself a different line of work.
As far as Kono is concerned, you don’t appear to be very well informed for someone who takes it upon herself to (try) and write about the show. She hasn’t been sidelined – she’s getting a big multi-episode story arc involving Billy Baldwin that starts next week.
I agree with Cindy’s comments about Tom Sizemore. He has paid his debts to society and moved on. What remains is that he is still a brilliant actor who is perfect for the part.
Season 2 is off to an excellent start – more great casting coming up (James Caan is rumored to be doing a guest appearance, Terry O’Quinn has signed on for even more episodes, Peter Fonda, Patty Duke, Billy Baldwin, Jimmy Buffett are all making appearances) and further character development. The producers are doing so many things right with this show. It’s going to be even better than the first season.
A couple of thoughts…
I see what you’re saying. I really do. As a woman, I’m also nearly inclined to agree with you. But the fact is, the television landscape in 2011 still can’t escape gender stereotypes from its audience (and also apparently from bloggers, critics and the like). You see a beautiful woman land on a show like Hawaii Five-0, and for some reason the general consensus seems to be that she’s automatically filling the role of conventional eye-candy/bed warmer — especially when working alongside good-looking men like Alex O’Loughlin and Scott Caan.
The fact is, there are plenty of examples of TV today (on shows like NCIS, Nikita, Covert Affairs, etc.) where television squad rooms and investigative teams are led by women who are just as physically and mentally capable as their male counterparts (if not more). Yet the audience is less concerned if they can kick some serious tail. Why? Because if the attractive female character would so much as cast a glance at her male counterpart, we are to automatically presume they’re going to end up between the sheets by the end of the episode. Because that’s just the way we roll … apparently. (Well, that and the ridiculous rumors regarding the Lori Weston character that took on a life of their own well before Lauren German ever joined the cast).
Bottom line is, what you seem to be asking for is that Hawaii Five-0 not continue to evolve, and that the story lines and the characters not continue to grow. And honestly, that would be a real shame for the show to remain nothing more than “Danny and Steve’s odd couple dynamic, lots of pretty and gratuitously shirtless people, and stuff going boom.”
The story the writers and producers are trying to tell is so much richer and so much more complex than the model you’re asking them to deliver — and that’s a good thing.
I believe the cast additions for Five-0 have been much more than a generic prototype. I also think it’s sad that action heroins, in particular, will apparently never be looked at beyond being the sexually omnivorous creatures most TV viewers expect them to be.
I agree completely with the sentiment of your article. The only reason the character was brought on was to be Steve’s love interest. The actress admitted it in an interview. Said the script for her audition was for “love interest”. When the character was first publicized, she was the “female McGarrett” and “potential love interest.” I detest that a female character cannot be brought onto a show as a well rounded professional female who is integral to the plot of the show, not eye candy and eventual playmate. Instead we get a cartoon character, a wanna be sex kitten, a cliche wonder woman. I didn’t care for the character at all because of those reasons. First shot we see her in 5 inch stilettos and then up for the crotch shot and finally the face. Yeah, I’m going to take that seriously. What really put me off, was the forced flirting scenes. Felt no chemistry as it was forced and came off as uncomfortable. These two people just met and are going to work together in a professional setting. So wrong. Steve came off as a teenage horn dog, completely out of character. Then Chin and Danny join in on the “date” jokes and come off as 12 year olds. This does not behoove me to like the Lori character and puts me off even further. It is seemingly all set up for the soap trope/cliche of initial dislike to eventual bedmates. I do not want to see this in any way, shape or form. I don’t want any hook ups between the team, whether it be Lori and Danny, Chin or Kono. It is unimaginative and lazy writing. Give me a complex well developed female character that isn’t there to jump in the sack and I will be pleased. Probably why I love Kono and Jameson. Of course, now Kono is being exiled, although she is finally getting a story line, so that they can bring in the new chick.
“Because here’s the thing about bringing in a woman just to be a love interest — it totally negates any points you may have gotten with the ladies for bringing a woman on board, because you’ve negated the very first rule of television: do not condescend to your audience.” Exactly. Agree completely. I love the show as is, the action, adventure, humor, bromance and carguments. The core 4 team chemistry is off the charts; I want to hang with these people. I don’t want the show to devolve into cheap soap opera theatrics and romantic angst and pining. Not what I watch the show for. Don’t give me what you think I want. It is very insulting, especially thinking that we don’t know why the fifth member is being brought on. It is so obvious. It turns me off completely. I hope they don’t go down that road. You said it best, “Return to those things going boom and people being shirtless. Return to the core four team actually caring about each other.” Give me the core four and explosions and occasional shirtlessness and/or board shorts and I am a happy camper. I look forward to Mondays for H50, please Powers That Be, don’t ruin it!
While I am sensitive to writing, plot, casting and acting so far I have not felt condescended to. I think guest actors bring an interesting element and new layers to the show. As for sexualizing Lauren they do the same with the male characters on the show. I didn’t sense females were being singled out as being amoral – Jenna, Kono and The Governor were mentioned. Chin had issues, and we have Frye and Billy Baldwins character. Character flaws afford wonderful acting opportunities and give depth to their portrayal. I haven’t been offended, it’s a fun show and that’s why I watch – to have fun. I’m not taking it too seriously. The writers will never be able to please us all.
EXACTLY! I was so annoyed when they brought the pretty girl on and also found the Sizemore scenario odd. I always joked that this Hawaii Five -O was made for women – just watch the opening sequence – and I loved that the female cop on the show was kick ass and in no way a love interest. Now, I’m just bothered. I don’t need to Danielle Steele up my TV shows.
You have to admit…whether you agree with Ms Hass or not, her article certainly induced some heavy thinking this week…and that’s a good thing. I did not read into the post that a lack of developement was desired…just a fan so well into the show that some red flags went up in regards to what was important to her and what she needs to impart to the readers. Wow…and I am not used to thinking even THIS heavy, so I will shut up while I am behind.
If H5-0 is guilty of spreading itself too thin in these areas, there is hope of course… a hope that will satisfy women as well as men (of course men). Normally, I would not wish to overstate the obvious, but the occasion is ripe for a reassurance that Kona seems to figure heavily in the mix in the near future. We know that that is always a wonderful uplifting developement but let me be specific as per the current topic.
For one, just look at Grace Park/Kona. What is she…37? Grace Park does not look like a day over 22 at best. This girl has beaten the age process. Maybe she really is a cylon! Now 37 is very young (at least to me) but still to look years younger is a boost to women all over the world in getting people to work out and eat right etc. Definitely a draw for women.
Kona can probably whip most men and some super-heros in a fight. Now if women are looking for action and shirtlessness in their tv…just see how much shirt a man will have left after some guy tees off lovely Kona! She ranks up there with the likes of Ripley (Alien), Maggie Q (Nikita), and that Kill Bill girl.
Kona gives women a vast amount of intellectual and independent image. She not only can take care of herself physically, she COMMANDS the respect of all comers as she does it. If there is a subjective issue to be dealt with, Kona can maintain the cool of a navy seal…and make use of whatever sliver an edge she may have…She is a real winner in every sense.
I could go on…but I will leave it at that. Certainly if anyone wishes, I would be more than happy to continue.
Finally see a site that has a pretty up to date commentary on one of my favorite contemporary shows on tv, and another fan of Grace Park. You said everything about that I would say; I am a terrific fan. I still think she is the hottest female of any show I have seen her on, which include regrettably only Battlestar Galatica and now Hawaii 5-0. I am very discomfited therefore with her plot line. Maybe the tease for next week reveals a bit more about how this plot line she is on will play out, although I wonder who–apparently–shoots her! Finally though the tease also shows that the team finally may have some concern about what happens to her. I loved the part of this week’s show where Chin Ho apologizes to her, and maybe, possibly, is breaking through her bitterness. Lets face it, the way the story line is written, she protected him all during his situation with stolen money (by his father or uncle, their common relative and a retired HPD cop), the money in question that torpedoed her career was stolen to protect him, and it was returned (essentially), and she stood by him, and counseled him to be honest the whole time. Yet after the unit almost falls apart because of Steve’s intersection with the Wo Fat plot line, and she gets arrested (I note that she really was not arrested, she was taken off police duties, she was never handcuffed or Miranda”ed) she essentially swings in the wind. I have never liked Tom Sizemore, and suddenly here he shows up and not only cashiers her, but has this nasty comment relating to her family being dirty generally. Yet now Chin is a Luetenant in HPD. She is broke with no work. So she goes with these bad, sleazy cops (must admit Steve or Billy? Baldwin can really be great at being sleazy). Where is the team at? Her plot line is only connected by her cousin. This week it finally might tie up. So we will see. I am witholding judgement on both Jenna (I did not trust her, had to be the conduit for the information that Wo Fat had) and I don’t know about the new woman. I also have a problem with the show’s dynamic but relatively plot lines being diluted with all kinds of new characters walking through. I mean I like Peter Fonda as a fellow Baby Boomer, but really Peter Fonda???
Anyway, I hope Kono can be tied up and as another person on this site said (a woman much wiser than I but alas not a writer or producer on the show) and come back as a full member of the team, doing what she does best, and being the conscience of the team in spite of it all. I think maybe the conflicted nature of her character now maybe carried out further (remember she got on the team because she could not get an assignment as a regular HPD cop), and Grace Park seems to like to play these complicated characters. If any of you is a Battlestar Galactica fanatic like I am you know she killed herself off three or maybe four? times and the one left was still hot and still came out on top, and in fact was essentially the mother of the human race. So us Grace Park fans should all relax, maybe??? I sincerely hope that the producers don’t mess this show up though. It has the potential to have a real, long, fantastic run, but if they mess up the plot line, and forget that this is a TEAM, they will lose fans in droves. And make sure my Grace Park character has the necessary redemption so she can as Chin Ho said, “kick some serious ass.”
I am delighted to hear from a fan of Grace Park. I applaud your excellent tastes.
Dave, you will find that this site is one, if not the…finest sites out there when it comes to site layout, ease of navigation, and media information. Most importantly, the quality of most of the writers will impress you with their competence, thoroughness and devotion to their work. As a commenter…I welcome you.
Thank you very much Tim. So far I am impressed with the site, and I might weigh in on some of the other programs I like also (who knew there was a Merlin show blog)? I am waiting to see some other commentary on the H50 show, particularly how fans think about how the Kono story arc was resolved. Before I weigh in I have to say kudos to those who thought it was an undercover. I kind of felt that way myself, and I think generally the writers used a fairly predictable resolution–in the context of the show generally–but I guess as long as my favorite character is ok I am fine. I really am looking forward though to some more commentary. When you are a fan of a major network show that is trying to be competitive in a difficult time slot I guess you feel just a bit proprietary.
Amen to all of this! Except I don’t want H50 to lose Kono, so I wouldn’t watch it if it were all guys. They have my full permission, and even insistence, to have her function essentially as a bro though – no romances with other team members, which they’ve done a good job on so far. It would be great if they’d stop dangling her like fresh meat in takedowns, because she’s totally badass and I dislike seeing her in humiliating situations, and they don’t do that to the guys. Although I could maybe be okay with it if Steve, Danny and Chin all went undercover and had to stay mostly naked and openly objectified in a corrupt and murderous Chippendale’s (yes yes I’m sure it exists in fanon). Just to even things up, of course.
I agree completely with every word. I’ve felt more annoyed with each subsequent episode so far this season. Not just with New Girl and the gender issues, shoving Jenna away for yet another generic skinny blonde girl, but with the cast of thousands they suddenly think is necessary. Between Lori, Max, and Joe, there was hardly room to stand around the computer this week. I know, I know, the actors are overworked. I just want my team back.
Thank you! I can’t even begin to say how disappointed I am in this season. Last year Monday nights were my happy nights. Now it’s “how are they going to screw it up this week?”
I am still enjoying the show but I think you make some pretty good points here. They are messing with something that ain’t broke. The fact is that Steve and Danny’s banter and Kono and Chin last year were TV gold. Add in to that the chance to see some great – movie quality – action and the pretty that is Alex taking his shirt off every now and again (heck that pretty that is Alex full stop) and I was a happy girl.
Not as much this year. And it isn’t the new characters or new direction, shows have to change or they die, it is the bad writing of said new directions. For a start no matter what they do with Kono we’ve had two weeks now of neither Danny or Steve even mentioning her! I get that they can’t confess to the crime as that would just mean all of them going to jail but for there not to be a scene – of Steve especially because we know what he thinks of team – going to see her is just wrong. Wrong on too many levels.
I think HFO’s problem is it trys to do too much. It has big arcs (that I love like the Champ box etc – and some I don’t, like the Danny and Rachel soap opera) but then has to squeeze in the case of the week to please CBS execs. To then add to that already hectic mix a whole host of new characters. It is just too much! We didn’t need Joe and Lori and Sleazemore AND a Baldwin – all at once! Worse it reeks of stunt casting. They should have had Joe and Lori. Introduced Lori at a gentler pace – not shoved her down viewers throats and had more of the Kono storyline included so we could at least see the team giving a damn about her.
I don’t hate the way it is going but it worries me that it does seem to be turning off an awful lot of its committed viewers. Then again something like 75% of viewers of TV shows are casual. So they’ll tune in or not depending on whatever whim suits them.
I just have to agree on one thing (left a much longer comment above), first I am so hoping the writers and producers in the course of developing the Kono character (I am a huge Grace Park fan) don’t mess her up, or the team. She seems to have basically been left to swing in the wind, and what really steams me and confuses me is that after all she was thrown off the force to protecth Chin Ho, and she was ordered by Steve, who was down in the sewer getting to the police property room to steal the money they used as ransom, when the nosy old lady saw her (looking all out of place in that hard hat. I have never seen a water or sewer worker look anywhere near that hot -:). Yet he gets off scott-free on that, but Kono? Down the toilet. Perhaps, this was planned from last season? The old lady was a possible clue? My big issue is the team concept here. McGarrett is a Navy Seal. Danny is a tough New Jersey cop who stayed in Hawaii and let his wife go off with his daughter when it looked like they were going to be together again. But he stayed back to help McGarrett out. So where is Kono? I thought Navy Seals, and tough New Jersey cops would not leave a fallen in trouble team member on the field of battle. But about Kono, even in the tease for the 10/17 show indicates that McGarrett has no idea of what Kono was doing or how far “in” she is in this dark side situation she is in. Its like she dropped off the side of Kiluaua. So there is that issue. The other reason I replied to your post is that all these other actors, wow. Is it resurrecting the careers of old or grade B actors season? I mean Tom Sizemore? The Baldwin brother (he is good as a sleazeball, but nobody can beat the Wo Far character in concentrated evil), Peter Fonda? I’m fonda you Peter, but please. This show needs to develop its characters, needs to inform its plot lines, and needs to feature as much of the Hawaiian islands as possible. And by the way what about getting the big, huge Samoan-like guy in something? Now there is a guy who would not abandon his homies. I sure hope they get it together because I really like this show. I think it is one of the best and sexiest police procedurals on TV. All of them now have beautiful kick-ass women on them, this one just happens to have one of my favorite actresses on it (how about Halle Berry or Jessica Alba guesting for crying out loud!!), but the ones that make it for several seasons develop those characters and make the plot lines make you come back for more each week.
Anyway enough for now. Let me see what happens on the 17th.
I like German, and have found her to be much more than just another generic pretty girl in other roles. She did look better as a redhead, though. Hopefully Weston will be given enough unique qualities to interest viewers farther than “strong agent.”
As for Sizemore, I simply could not get over his ridiculous sport coat ensemble, especially when he was holding that press conference. He didn’t look local HPD at all. Even high-ranking officers will almost always wear the standard short-sleeved uniform when speaking publicly. Otherwise, it would be the full suit and tie, or aloha attire, depending on the formality of the situation. Sizemore looked like nothing so much as a Vegas bookie or loan shark in this episode (side note: the answer to the question of where Hawaii people go on vacation is always Vegas, especially for those 50+).
Finally, whenever someone calls a woman hysterical in the pejorative sense, I always wonder whether it’s an innocent coincidence ignorant of the word’s etymology, or a more insidious and sexist insult. Julia?
I agree with almost everything you’ve said. The exception is Kono, I think that the creepy IA guy sent her deep undercover and that the rest of the team knows about it (IIRC when Kono started telling Chin about the IA visit there was a cut to a different scene).
Um… actually I think I agree w you about Kono, I just think that she wasn’t intentionally sidelined. It’s just that they’ve done a horrible job with this storyline. I’m guessing that in later episodes, it’ll be revealed that the entire team knew she was undercover, but right now Steve & Danny seem to have misplaced their team loyalty. I wonder why no one realized that this situation would alienate viewers? Do they honestly think we’re naive enough to believe that Kono has gone all dark side or that the old lady seeing Kono near the sewer was enough evidence to arrest her, especially given that the money was counted and was all there after the sewer incident? I’ve always had to turn a blind-eye to the many plot holes in H5-O, but to have to do it for a major story arc is annoying. I watch this show for the pretty people and scenery and for the comraderie amongst the team. Also, to see what crazy thing Steve will do next, like using a grenade to blast open a door instead of a taking the exposed hinges off with a screwdriver as a sane person would have. Am I the only one that sometimes sees Steve as Lucy Ricardo?
I wish the writers would get back to consistently developing the main characters. Since this is a crime/police/action show, I don’t see the need to devote a lot of time to a love interest. I thought the Steve/Catherine dynamic was believable precisely because she was seldom around. I think Steve would have a hard time balancing 5-O and a full-time relationship.
I noticed a couple of comments to the effect that ‘what makes you think Lori is a love interest.’ These are SOME of the reasons I think she was intended as a love interest: the slow pan up Lori’s legs and over her body as she sat down across from Steve, the immediate flirting between them, Steve and Danny both describe her as good looking, Danny and Chin joke about Steve and Lori being on a date, Danny jokes about a ‘love connection’ between them…
Hey I hope I am not the main contributor to this particular blog, but regarding Lori. If you checked out the 17th episode its obvious they are developing a possible love interest by her in Steve. Remember the scene with Chin in the motel while waiting for the missing woman? That was so obvious. Actually all the characters have possible love interests, even Kono, but they never seem to be followed up. Actually if I compare this with most modern police procedurals, from NCIS to the Mentalist (oh wait two characters did have a steamy relationship for a minute)there are hot women who can fight like heck, and handsome men who attract women all over the place, but generally no further storyline is developed. In my opinion if it helps a favorite series to remain broadcast its fine; but given the comments that are made here, and on other blogs, I think this romantic relationship thing has to be handled carefully. So lets see where this “relationship” thing goes. I await some replies or disagreements. -:)
Finally! A discussion thread for people who aren’t all too thrilled with S2! All I have seen online since S2 started are forums where everyone’s over the moon about how the show’s gone. Riiight. I have to say, so far I’ve been less than impressed with S2 – too many new characters and sorry, but I am still of the opinion that Lori should just be a one season thing – if that (maybe even a Jenna type thing; come in, do some work stuff, bond on a miniscule level, then leave). Even if Kono’s storyline is now resolved, as someone else said here; how are they all going to fit around the smart computer screen when she gets back? Dave Daniels – you’re right on the money with your comments. I am a big Kono fan so perhaps there could be some bias here, but seriously, the writers could have handled her absence and the “ohana’s” (with the exception of Chin – who’s great) reaction much better – it kinda went south. I mean come on, they expect us to believe that Danno and Steve forgot she existed for three episodes?! Or maybe Steve and Danno are just as confused as we are what with so many new people crowding the office and all sorts of new things happening like Joe rocking up from time to time, Steve and Lori doing the partners thing now (what happened to Danno and Steve being partners?), and Danno getting a girlfriend (ok a coffee date). I am still watching – but please Peter Lenkov, if you bother to read these threads then please do something to salvage the rest of the season. Ok, so we all know its impossible to please everyone I feel like its still missing some of the magic from last season.
Hey Julie terrific response and thank you so much! I hope this particular blog picks up some because I love the show, and it has so much potential to be a really interesting and fun police procedural, and of course it does not hurt that my favorite female tv actress is a star on it. I agree with everything you say, and I have to admit that in the back-of-my-mind I figured that one way to resolve this story arc was an undercover operation of some kind. That being said it still does not really resolve why the team leader(s) seemed to ignore, or be totally ignorant of Kono’s problems. This raises so many story issues that I need another comment just to address them. But on that, while it wrapped things up ok, and my/our character is ok (for now), and the team is back together (I hope) there are a lot of questions left unwrapped. If you notice the Baldwin character is not dead. I looked at the show a second time and saw that he was being taken to the hospital. Also there is the issue of the problem between him and Captain Frye, particularly as they were partners. So I have a feelings the writers are not finished totally with this story arc. You know, is it just me or are you a bit discomfitted with how they wrapped up this story arc? It just seems thin, but then that goes to an issue that several writers have been intimating I think. I hope Peter Lenkov is it? Will please consider this while developing the show going forward. Any good story has to have a clear, definable, understandable thrust going forward, and in this show where team is the backdrop, and where character development is important within that concept, bringing in all kinds of story lines, and new characters is risky. I mean I am not against it, just as long as the focus is always on the 5-0 team and Hawaii. You know I had been to Hawaii for the first time before I saw last year’s first episode, and I kept yelling to my wife to say, “we were there”, at the locales they filmed in. So anyway I just thought I would jump in, and thanks for replying to me Julie, and lets get this blog going. I want to keep this show on for a nice run, and as a fan not have it end like Star Trek Voyager, for instance, where all the main story lines were built up to a crescendo, then story line interruptus. Man that makes one mad and unsatisfied.
Ok Ok, I don’t want anybody to consider me a weirdo fan fanatic, particularly since I am so taken with Grace Park. I do like the series though, besides my star, so I was SOOO hoping somebody else would comment on this blog. Maybe it is not seen by too many people? I won’t make a long comment but if I were going to comment from only a Konocentric perspective the jury is still out for me. I thought the way that the writers got her out of the 2nd series undercover situation was just a bit too unsupported in terms of the team concept; I mean there could have been some clue. It seemed like the fissures in her and her cousin’s family situation were plumbed too deeply for merely an undercover role which does ont explain the real resentment and anger that the Kono character expressed. That seems to be an underlying problem for her and Kim. Now she is all sunny (as sunny as they let her be) and back in the team. Hmmm? Also there is no real interplay between her and Lori, although I noticed in the 10/31 episode they at least had a couple of words exchanged. I will wait and see on that part, but is Lori a team member or not? And how does she get along with the other female on the team? Is she merely meant to be a possible love diversion for McGarrett? We will see I guess. Also I think there is a possibility that the McGarrett family issue and the Kono Kim family issue will have a point of convergence in the future. I was a kid or teen-ager with the first H5O but I seem to remember a family connection or a real strong personal connection between the Haole (wrong spelling?) McGarrett and the Asian and Hawaiian families although it was not real clear. I need to see the first couple of H5O2 episodes because there was some reference to this. Is the big Hawaiian the key to all this? Anyway this series has so many layers as a police procedural, great scenery, great characters with really good actors (ok I like the guys too), two very interesting women characters (although my personal preference is clear, Grace Park forever!!), and villian for the ages in Wo Fat. Lets support the program. It has to follow a night of comedy, but CBS needs that revenue for Monday night at that prime time spot. Lets try to make sure this series has a nice, long run where all the character issues are not left unresolved. I hate that.
I wondered why was Grace Park’s character given less exposure. The new girl (lauren) don’t have that Hawaiian spirit like Grace has. I am so disappointed that they brought Lauren in. Please put Grace back in to her normal role. Alex, Scott, Daniel and Grace are what makes Hawaii 5-0 the show it is.
Thank you. I will be looking forward to seeing them together again.
Me too. I am afraid that they will mess up a third season going the way they are now, and I think the character they use the less is key to it actually. But like I said maybe there is some kind of dramatic convergence of a number of story lines. The bad cop character that Kono helped bust is still alive (William Baldwin I believe) so who knows? But thanks for the support on my character, and my worry about the show.
I’ll start off by saying I started watching this because of Grace Park and her past work. I’m definitely not a happy camper with the way Kono has been essentially sidelined since her brief story arc in exchange for someone (Lori) who doesn’t seem to fit in and definitely is not the least believable in her tough girl role. Not sure what is going on or in the writers minds here
Hey another David who likes Grace Park. Welcome aboard. Frankly I am not an Asian (proud African-American) but I think she embodies a young actress who should be much more utilized in all kinds of television work in this country, and not be marginalized. Actually the Lori German character is marginalized in another way I think, in that for now her character does not really add anything to the show other than having a blonde woman, who might be a love interest. This is not to take away from her at all. I like that she seems to be given a role in the stories, such as in the 11/21/11 show (more thoughts on that later when I look again at the show on catch up; I think my convergence theory may have a few hints here), but she still seems collateral, not integral, and her very blondeness, if I can use that word, could be argued as marginalization of another kind. I would love some comments on that point about her. But with Kono and Kim really there is a side story developing which intrigues me. Again I just hope the writers know what they are doing. All of the main actors are good, even if I am so focused on one hot female characters, and they all deserve a few good seasons, and lead off to other shows.
Anyway sorry this is kind of a soapbox entry, not as much of a storyline one David, but thanks so much for coming to Kono’s defense, and hoping the show itself finds (or keeps) its way.
By the way they dispatched the Jena character. Didn’t see that one coming, although Wo Fat is so good at being evil. I hope that the Kono character gets to dispatch him with a round between the eyes at some point, but if that happens then the show loses its wonderful villian. But then my convergence theory comes to pass also? Writers??